Viola+Parr


 * SUMMARY: Viola Parr, age 24, died on March 1, 1919 after an abortion perpetrated in an Athens, Georgia dental office by osteopath W. G. Waters.**

Viola Estelle Parr, age 24, of Athens, Georgia, worked at the dental office of Dr. M. T. Summerlin. On or about February 22, 1919, an abortion was perpetrated on her in Summerlin's office.

Viola's mother said that Viola told her “The doctors told me I cannot live. I know I have done wrong, but I believe God has forgiven me and now, mother, I want you to come and pray with me for forgiveness, because I know I cannot live.” She said that Viola had “declared that her delicate condition was caused by illegal relations with Dr. Summerlin, followed by the malpractice of Dr. W. G. Waters, an osteopath.”

Both men, “prominent and influential professional men of Athens” were charged with murder, involuntary manslaughter, and assault with intent to murder in Viola's death.

Summerlin and Waters fled the city when they learned that Viola had accused them in her deathbed statement, though they later turned themselves in, protesting their innocence. Summerlin reportedly got her pregnant, Walters did the abortion at his behest.

Viola's family hired additional attorneys to assist the prosecution. Evidence did indicate that Summerlin was responsible for Viola's pregnancy and that both had participated in the abortion, performed with instruments of some sort.

Both men were convicted and sentenced to three year prison terms.

Viola's abortion, perpetrated by a doctor, was typical in that doctors performed perhaps 90% of criminal abortions.

Note, please, that with overall public health issues such as doctors not using proper aseptic techniques, lack of access to blood transfusions and antibiotics, and overall poor health to begin with, there was likely little difference between the performance of a legal abortion and illegal practice, and the aftercare for either type of abortion was probably equally unlikely to do the woman much, if any, good. For more information about early 20th Century abortion mortality, see [|Abortion Deaths 1910-1919].

For more on pre-legalization abortion, see [|The Bad Old Days of Abortion]

 Sources:
 * 41 Ga.App. 268, 152 S.E. 619 Court of Appeals of Georgia, Division No. 1. Wilbanks v. State No. 20148. Mar. 5, 1930
 * "Athens Dentist Not Allowed to Give Bond," //Greenwood (SC) Index-Journal//, 6 May, 1919
 * "Athens Doctors On Trial Today," //Atlanta Constitution//, 15 May, 1919
 * "Pathetic Scene in Murder Trial," //Atlanta Constitution//, 16 May, 1919
 * "Doctor and Dentist Sentenced," //Charlotte (NC) News//, 22 May, 1919
 * "Dentist and Doctor Given Three Years," //Concord (NC) Daily Tribune//, 23 May, 1919
 * <span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: 80%; line-height: 1.5;">"Pardon Is Asked For Dr. Summerlin Before Hardwick," //Atlanta Constitution//, Oct. 13, 1921

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